After Electing New Leaders, SPOA Leads Press Conference Opposing Rent Control Ballot Campaign
The Small Property Owners Association (SPOA) began 2026 with new leadership and a renewed call for balanced housing policies that are collaborative and inclusive of all stakeholders. President Amir Shahsavari and Vice President Tony Lopes initiated SPOA's next chapter with a press release that was covered in different publications, including New England Real Estate Journal and Boston Real Estate Times, outlining the vision for the year.
We need to work with small property owners, and not against them, to create policies that increase opportunity, preserve housing quality, and help renters become future homeowners, while supporting all the businesses that rely on small landlords to keep our neighborhoods strong and safe. You can read the full articles below.
New England Real Estate Journal
Small Property Owners Association names 2026 leadership
SPOA also helped lead a press conference to formally launch the opposition to the rent control ballot campaign on January 29, 2026. Sponsored by Housing for Massachusetts, a coalition of business and real estate groups, the event took place at Church on the Hill across from the Massachusetts State House.
Speakers included Conor Yunits, the Chair of Housing for Massachusetts, in addition to SPOA President Amir Shahsavari. Other speakers included Denise Jillson (Chair of Yes on 9 in 1994, the campaign that banned rent control), Alex Guardiola (Worcester area business leader and property owner), and Marc Silvestri (Revere City Councilor At-Large) among others.
The event was covered by several media outlets including Boston Real Estate Times, State House News Service, Banker &Tradesman, and Contrarian Boston. You can find this press coverage below.
by Tony Lopes and Amir Shahsavari
